Continuity check of stator

I recently removed and replaced the stator assembly in my 2005 660. I had determined the old stator was bad back in July of 2012. At that time, I had a digital multimeter that i used to check both continuity and A.C. output. I lost my test equipment during the flood from Hurricane Issac in August 2012 and have not yet replaced any of it. Fast forward to current times. Prior to installing the new stator, I thought of a way to check continuity with out any test equipment. In my shoe box of a garage, I had a cheap plastic flashlight that I disassembled and kept the bulb and a "D" cell battery. Using some available wire, some alligator clips, an end from a jewelers screwdriver and some electrical tape, I concocted the following goofy looking contraption. (Hopefully the pics will show up)https://s1322.photobucket.com/user/TBOMB3/library/Rhino?sort=3&page=1#
Basically, I'm extending the circuit from the battery through the stator coils and back to the bulb. The coils are essentially a short circuit and should light the bulb as can be seen in the followinghttps://s1322.photobucket.com/user/TBOMB3/library/Rhino?sort=3&page=1#
I know it's not a definitive check, but, it is a good overall indication of the stator windings

Yeah, that would tell you if a coil had an open circuit all right. However, a shorted coil would be really hard to tell apart from a properly functioning one. Actually, that is the problem with using an ohmeter in that the difference between all good and a string with a single shorted coil is miniscule. Hence, the resistance measurement method is beyond the capability of an ordinary multi-purpose meter. You might be able to make an ordinary 12V automotive (say perhaps brake light?) bulb hooked between any 2 of the white wires to light up, showing a decent voltage output from the stator with the engine running? Not something that I have ever tried, but it might work (else it might play 'flash-bulb' and go poof). Maybe a 24V bulb (aviation)?

Steve, you're right. After the install of the new stator, I also used my Rube Goldberg contraption to check between the ground on the engine case and the individual stator windings. I did not mean this to be a definitive check, just merely a method to check continuity for folks with no test equipment. By the way, I find all of your posts very informative and enlightening.

Thank you. And you are right, in that a continuity test is a good first step. I would imagine that, say something like half of the time, that is all you would need to do to condemn the stator.

If I may, I'll take this as an opportuntiy to mention another tip regarding the uses for an ordinary light bulb. If you have a short somewhere in your 12 volt circuitry you can put a 12 V light bulb into the circuit to limit the current flow. This will prevent that short from burning up your wiring while you are trying to find it. That bulb, between your battery and a dead short, will glow at full brightness. If it is an open circuit, it will not glow at all. If it is a normal current draw (say a working taillight or such), it will glow at only partial brightness.

By the way, I received a new Fluke DVM today, so no more need for my stupid contraptions!!!!!

TBOMB wrote:

By the way, I received a new Fluke DVM today, so no more need for my stupid contraptions!!!!!

Knowing what you can make do with some jury rigged contraption, can save your bacon out in the boonies or wherever. Congrats on the Fluke!

damn steve you are scarry smart with electronics glad your on here

x2 He is like James with sheaves!

Ha, ha. You make like I can throw lightning bolts and make thunder like that Zeus fellow of old? My hair stands up in a lightning storm just like everyone else.

I can zap a memory chip just by touching it though, especially after i pet the cat for a minute or two. Now, back to the Koolaid and Bananas; that's why we are here isn't it?

why yes almighty steve more cool aide

Oh Yeah!!!

Koolaid and Bananas; that's why we are here isn't it?

YES, but, like I have said before, it's ALL of You guys that make this so awesome !

Steve You are an Honor and a Gentleman ! And a very educated one at that !

Starting to sound like a politician, ain,t I !

Haha, don't forget the crispy creames

CustomizedRhino13 wrote:

Haha, don't forget the crispy creames

HAHA And YES, Krispy Kremes for everyone !!!!!!!!

Firefighter wrote:

CustomizedRhino13 wrote:

Haha, don't forget the crispy creames

HAHA And YES, Krispy Kremes for everyone !!!!!!!!

Ah yes, toasted over a campfire. Or is that something else? Where is jack when we need him???

steve is da man!!